Indomitable Lions loom large in Bafana's knockout path

BAFANA Bafana face their sternest test of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations when they meet Cameroon in tonight's round-of-16 clash at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat at 9pm.

- SMISO MSOMI

BAFANA Bafana's game plan against Cameroon is expected to revolve around retaining possession, dictating tempo and forcing their opponents to chase the ball.

(BackpagePix)

It is a fixture that pits South Africa's ball-playing identity against the raw physicality and tournament know-how of the five-time African champions, with a place in the quarterfinals at stake.

Bafana progressed as Group B runners-up, edging Angola and Zimbabwe 2-1 and narrowly losing 1-0 to Egypt.

Hugo Broos’ men were not free-flowing, but they were efficient, resilient and comfortable winning tight matches.

That profile presents a different challenge to anything Cameroon have faced so far in Morocco.

Cameroon rely on athleticism, aerial dominance and power across the pitch — areas where South Africa may also struggle to match them directly.